Quantum Computers

(Presentation by Antnio Nascimento)

I Introduction
Good evening!
My presentation is related to a not so easy understanding subject because it overpasses the
common sense we have of what surround us. But, for sure, it will make you think that not
everything is as obvious as we believe.
So, Im going to shake your heads, not your hands. Ill try to make it in a lightly way.
To understand what we are dealing with, lets set up the basics before talking about
quantum computers.
II Basics
1. What is Quantum Physics? (# Interaction with colleagues)
Quantum Physics is the study of the behavior of matter and energy at the molecular, atomic,
nuclear, and even smaller microscopic levels. In the early 20th century, it was discovered
that the laws that govern macroscopic objects do not function the same in such small
realms.
Among others, three respectable scientists have contributed to develop Quantum Physics.
They are:

Max Planck
(German, Nobel in 1918)

Albert Einstein
(German, Nobel in 1921)

Niels Bohr
(Danish, Nobel in 1922)

(# Interaction with colleagues)

2. Quantum physics proves that there IS an afterlife, claims scientist
Most scientists would probably say that the concept of an afterlife is either nonsense, or at
the very least unprovable.
1

Yet one expert claims he has evidence to confirm an existence beyond the grave - and it lies
in quantum physics. He said life creates the universe, and not the other way round.
Professor Robert Lanza, from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina,
claims that death as we know it is an illusion created by our perception.
Lanza uses the example of the way we perceive the world around us. A person sees a blue
sky, and is told that the colour he is seeing is blue, but the cells in a person's brain could be
changed to make the sky look green or red.
Theoretical physicists believe that there is infinite number of universes with different
variations of people, and situations taking place, simultaneously.
(# Interaction with colleagues) -> TV show/series Fringe)
In summary, space and time are 'simply tools of our mind.'
3. Quantum Physics explain why days became shorter
In the last years people are claiming that days are shorter. People say that because we live in
a modern society with lot of things to do, its our perception of time that is different. Is it
true or there is a more scientific explanation? Even we take in consideration the previous
assumption that is only a different perception of time, we are supporting the theory of
Professor Lanza: space and time are simply tools of our mind.
Quantum physics explain that, indeed, days became shorter. For example, our perception of
a second is the same but a second became shorter because time has shrunk. You still have a
second but its shorter. It sounds crazy, isnt it?
4. In which way is all of this related to computers?
The electrical devices that power computers little switches called transistors wouldnt
work if quantum mechanics wasnt true. Nowadays, transistors power everything from your
toaster to your computer.
A modern microprocessor has, at least, (# Interaction with colleagues) 100 million
transistors. The Core i7 920 has around 781 million transistors. This achievement is
impossible without quantum physics (mechanics).
Now that we have the concepts, we are ready to talk about Quantum computers.

III Quantum Computers

The massive amount of processing power generated by computer manufacturers has not yet
been able to satisfy our thirst for speed and computing capacity. Every day the world
produces large amounts of data generated by scientific research and internet usage.
Taking in consideration the Moores Law (Moore predicted that every 18 months the
number of transistors on a microprocessor should double) by the decade of 2020 we will find
circuits on a microprocessor measured on an atomic scale. The next step will be to create
quantum computers which will use the power of atoms and molecules
to perform operations.
Quantum computing was first introduced in 1981 by Paul Benioff, a
physicist at the Argonne National Laboratory at the University of
Chicago.
Digital computers (the ones that we use) process data by manipulating one of two states: a 0
or a 1. A zero represents an absence of an electric signal and a one represents the presence
of that signal. By using this, computers can perform all sorts of calculations but one at a
time. It only depends of the software.
A quantum computer can process data by using these two states (0 and 1) plus a third one: 0
and 1 at the same time or usually called superposition. Because of that, a quantum
computer can perform many calculations at a time.
A digital computer manipulates Bits. A quantum computer manipulates qubits (quantum
bits) which can exist in superposition. Qubits represent atoms, ions, photons or electrons
and their respective control devices that are working together to act as computer memory
and a processor. Because a quantum computer can contain these multiple states
simultaneously, it has the potential to be millions of times more powerful than today's most
powerful supercomputers.

Bits

quBits

In May 2011, D-Wave Systems, Inc., a Canadian company, announced that it sold its first
commercial quantum computer by the modest amount of .(# Interaction with
colleagues) $10 million.

Nasas D-Wave

Googles D-Wave

IV. Conclusion
Quantum computers have the potential to perform calculations faster than any silicon-based
computer. Their technology could one day replace silicon chips, just like the transistor once
replaced the vacuum tube.
Ahead, its a brand new world of technology.
Thank you for your attention.